Pneumatic-regulator for musical instruments.



No. 659,442. Patented Oct. 9, I900. W. B. FLEMING.

PNEUMATIC REGULATOR FUR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

(Application filed Aug. 11, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 SheetsShooI I.

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Patented Oct. 9, I900. W. B. FLEMiNG.

PNEUMATIC REGULATOR FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

' (Applicntion filed Aug. 11, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR.

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2 60; flttorney No. 659,442. Patented Oct. 9, I900.

' W. B. FLEMING.

PNEUMATIC REGULATOR FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

(Application filed Aug. 11, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No- Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT GEE-Ion.

WVILLIAM B. FLEMING, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

PNEUMATIC-REGULATOR FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,442, dated October 9, 1900.

Application filed August 11, 1899. Serial No. 726,851. tlilo modeh;

T0 ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. FLEMING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, count-y of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvementin Pneumatic Regulators for Musical Instruments; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

lllyinvention has for its object a pneumaticregulator for musical instruments; and it consists of the construction, combination, and arrangementof devices hereinafter specifled and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevation showing features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. t is a vertical cross-section through one of the tracker-boards. Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating a modification of the construction of the suction-chamber and pipes or tubes leading thereto. 6 is a front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating the clutch mechanism. Fig. 8 is a view in plan and horizontal section showing the mechanism on the opposite end of the shaft and related parts. Fig. 9 is an inverted plan view showing parts in horizontal section illustrating the construction of the exhaust-chamber and its related parts. Fig. 10 is a detail view illustrating the operation of the lever N to uncover the channel a.

My invention is more particularly designed to provide a pneumatic-regulator for musical instruments in which plural musicsheets may be simultaneously employed and whereby said sheet-s may be synchronously actuated.

Certain features of the construction embodied in my present invention are embodied in United States Letters Patent No. 585,663, granted to me'July 6, 1897, for an electric attachment for musical instruments, and also in United States Letters Patent No. 621,963, issued March 28, 1899, for an attachment for musical instruments. Certain of the devices embodied in the present application and which were embodied in said Letters Patents were more particularly adapted, arranged, k

and combined with certain electrical features to constitute an electrical attachment for musical instruments; but in the present application, in so far as any features embodied in said Letters Patents are concerned, they are herewith arranged, adapted, and designed to operate as a pnenmatic-regulator for musical instruments, pneumatic connections and devices being hereby combined therewith whereby plural music-sheets may be employed in an attachment for musical instruments and the same be properly regulated. As embodied in the last-named patent, the music-sheets employed in connection with my present invention may be, for example, a music-sheet fora solo and an additional m usic-sheet for an accompaniment.

As stated in the last-named patent, in the operation of plural music-sheets itis evident that the sheets must be actuated synchronously or in such a manner that the music produced by the individual sheets shall be in unison or perfect time the one with the other, which, however, would not be the result if one of the sheets were permitted to travel faster than the other. In that case the corresponding perforations in the sheets would not permit the instrument to sound the proper notes in unison, the sheets not. traveling syn chronously. Hence, as in the invention embodied in the last-named patent above referred to, my present invention is designed to provide an attachment in which plural sheets may be employed, the attachment in the present instance being designed to regulate the operation of the instrument or the movement of the music-sheets so that corresponding notes shall be in unison or in perfect time and anyliability of an uneven movement of the said sheets be avoided or corrected.

My present invention I carry out as follows:

In the drawings any suitable frame is indicated at A;

B is a drum to carry a sheet of music B. C is a take-up roller upon which the musicsheet B is wound as it unrolls from the drum B. B is an additional music-sheet carried upon adrum B and C is an additional takeup roller upon which the music-sheet B is wound as it unrolls from the drum B. The several music-rolls may be constructed and carried upon their respective drums and takeup rollers as illustrated and described in my said Patent No. 621,963. The music-sheet B, as in the said patent, in addition to the perforations necessary to sound the required notes is also constructed with a series of elongated perforations (indicated by the numeral 7) and corresponding adjacent smaller perforations, (indicated by the numeral 8.) So, likewise, the music-sheet B in addition to the perforations necessary to sound the required notes is constructed with elongated perforations (indicated by the numeral 9) and correspondingadjacent smaller perforations,(indicated by the numeral 10.)

Intermediate the drum B and storage-roller O isa tracker-board, (indicated at E.) So,also, between the drum B and the storage-roller C is an additional trackerboard F, the tracker-boards E and F being indicated in Fig. 1 in dotted lines. These tracker-boards are of similar construction, one of them being illustrated in cross-section in Fig. at. The tracker-boards are each constructed, it will be understood, with a series of transverse channels opening at the front of the corresponding board, the corresponding musicsheet being arranged to travel over the front edge of the corresponding tracker-board and to close the mouths of the various channels until a corresponding perforation of the roll registers with the mouth of a corresponding channel, when air is permitted to be sucked through the corresponding channel. of the tracker-board.

My presentinvention contemplates, as coming within its scope, the provision of the tracker-boards with transverse channels, (indicated at e e,) the latter being indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the channels 6 e corresponding in the tracker-board E to the perforations 7 and 8 in the music-sheet B. It will be understood also that the trackerboard F is constructed with transverse channels similar to the channels 6 e in the trackerboard E, corresponding to the orifices 9 and 10 in the music-sheet B The other trans verse channels in the tracker-boards not constituting a feature of my present invention are not shown herewith, neither are the ordinary perforations with which music-sheets are provided, (shown in Fig. 6;) but their construction and operation will be readily understood.

G denotes a suction-chamber provided with an exhaust-pipe G, connected with any suitable suction or exhaust device, (not shown,) whereby suction may be effected through the chamber G. The suction-chamber G is provided with a pneumatic, (indicated by the numeral 1,) preferably located upon the top thereof.

located pneumatics 2 and 3, supporting, respectively, valve rods or spindles at 4, and

)Vi'thin the suction-chamber are which may be guided in their upper ends in corresponding arms 5 5, attached to the pneumatic 1. The top of the suctionchamber G is constructed with openings, (indicated at 6 6, Fig. 2,) communication through said openings, respectively, being governed by valves g g. These openings (3 6 lead through the top of said chamber, the valves 9 controlling the communication of said openings into the interior of the chamber G and the valves g controlling the communication of said openings with the atmosphere. Into said openings 6 6 also lead channels 11 11. Into the pneumatics 2 3 lead channels 12 and 13. The valve-rods 4C 4: are provided with buttons or analogous devices 14:. The pneumatic 1. and the pneumatics 2 and 3 are so arranged that when the pneumatic l is inflated, which is its normal condition, the pneumatics 2 and 3 are exhausted. To exhaust the pneumatic l, the suction-chamber G is provided with pneumatics 15 and 10. The two pneumatic-s 15 and 16 are provided with arms 17 and 18, said arms carrying a valve-spindle 1!), normally depressed by a spring 20, said spring being strong enough to hold one of the pneumatics 15 and 16 closed when wind is on the same, it requiring the inflation of both said pneumatics 15 16 to counteract the tension of the spring 20. Communicating with the pneumatics l5 and 16 are corresponding channels 21 and 22. The pneumatics l5 and 16 are connected with the channels 22 and 21, respectively. In the top of the suction-chamber G is an additional opening 9 communicating into the interior of said chamber and exhausting through the top thereof, said communications being controlled by valves 2 and 2% upon the stem 19. A channel 25 leads into the pneumatic 1, controlled by the valves 23 and 24.

H and H are pipes or tubes leading from the channels 6 and e in the tracker-board E into the channels 21 and 1.2 of the chamber G, and H and H are similar pipes or tubes leading from the corresponding channels in the tracker-board E into the channels 22 and 13 of the chamber G.

Upon the frame A are located pneumatics D and D, connected, respectively, by pipes or tubes (Z and d with the channels 11 11 of the suction-chamber G.

To control the'communication of the suction-pipe G with the interior of the suctionchamber G, as shown in the drawings, 1 employ a pneumatic-chamber J, in which is loeated a pneumatic K, into which leads a pipe a. The chamber J communicates with the chamber G through an opening, (indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3 atj,) said opening being controlled by a valve 70, actuated by the pneumatic K. The construction is such that when the tube a is open the pneumatic K will be inflated, closing the valve j. Vice versa, when the tube a is closed the pneumatic K will be exhausted and the valve 7twill be opened.

The drum B is shown to be rotatable at one extremity upon a spring-actuated shaft 1), engaged in one side of the frame, a nut b holding said shaft in place. The opposite end of the drum B is engageable with a rotatable shaft 1), provided with a pulley 11 In a similar manner the roller 0 is rotatable upon a shaft orscrew, (indicated at c,) the opposite end of said roller being engaged upon a shaft 0 belted with a pulley W, as indicated. The roller 0 is provided with a gear C In the case of the machineisasliding sleeve V, provided with a pinion P, meshing when in proper position with the gear Within the sleeve V is engaged a shaft M, extending through both sides of the case A, said shaft being provided at one end with a pulley m, belted with a pulley 11 The construction and operation of the sleeve Vis in every way analogous to the construction of the sleeve V in applicants last-named patent and shown in detail in said patent in Fig. 2*. A lever T is similarly employed to throw the pinion P out of mesh with the gear C the lever T being actuated in the present instance by a lever N, provided with a pin a to engage the bevel edge of the lever T to actuate the lever T. The pulleymis constructed to clutch the adjacent end of the sleeve V, as in said last-named patent above referred to.

In addition to actuating the lever T the leverN is also made to control communication with a channel at in the case communicable with the tube Ct, above mentioned. When the lever N is thrown downward to throw the pinion P out of mesh with the gear 0 it uncovers the channel 92, allowing air to be sucked through the tube a toinfiate the pneumatic K, and thereby to close the valves j, so that no suction can enter the suction-chamber G. It will be observed that when the sleeve with its pinion P is thrown out of mesh with the gear 0 it clutches the pulley m to rewind the music-sheet upon the drum B, and while this is being done no suction is desired through the suction-chamber G, the suction being prevented in the mannerjust described. The drum B is mounted in a similar manner to the drum B, and the storage-roller O is mounted similar to the roller 0, the roller C being provided with a gear 0' to mesh with a pinion 0 upon a bearing 0 sleeved upon a shaft 0 provided with a pulley m, arranged to drive the drum B when it is desired to rewind the m usic-sheet B By employing the modification shown in Fig. 5 I am'enabled to dispense with the use of the short perforations 8 and 10 in the music-sheets B and B In said modification instead of connecting the tubes H and II into the channels 21 and 22 tubes h and 7t3 may be employed communicating into said channels, tubes h it being employed instead of the tubes H and H communicating into the channels 12 and 13. In said modification the tubes h and h unite in a single tube h and the tubes 7171 unite in a single tube 7L5, one

of the tubes, as the tube 7L leading into the tube of one of the trackerboards, governed by the elongated perforations 7 in the music roll B, the other tube, as the tube 11 communicating with a similar channel in the corresponding tracker-board, governed by the elongated perforations 9 in the music-sheet 13*. Then the two marginal perforationsan elongated and a short perforation-are used in the music-sheets, whichever roll was traveling the faster would be cut out by means of the short perforations, stopping the rotation of the music-sheet. Where the short perforations 8 and 10 were dispensed with, the cutting out of either roll traveling the faster would be effected solely by the elongated perforations.

Upon a shaft M, above referred to, is any suitable clutch mechanism, (indicated at HQ) the clutch mechanism being preferably the same as that indicated in my patent last before referred to and shown in detail in Fig. 2 of said patent, said clutch mechanism governed by a lever M actuated by the pneumatic D. So, also, the pneumatic D governs a lever M actuating a similar clutch mechanism upon the shaft C Where the short perforations 8 and 10 are employed in the m usic-rolls,whichever musicsheet is traveling the faster is cut out and stopped, as already observed, by the instrumentality of the corresponding short perforations until the other roll catches up. Then when the two elongated perforations synchronously register the mechanism stopping either roll is cutout, so that the rolls will travel again in unison. While the two music-sheets travel in unison the short perforations have no effect, because they are cut out by the pneumatic 1 collapsing and operating the pneumatics 2 and 3, as above described, leaving open channels to the pneumatics D and D, causing said latter pneumatics to be inflated and the clutch mechanisms governed thereby be thrown into operated position.

The shafts M and C may be actuated in any suitable manner. As shown, said shafts are connected with sprocket mechanism, (shown in Figs. 1 and 6,) the sprocket mechanism being driven, as by a belt a, from any suitable source of power.

The operation of the pneumatic-action is as follows: The pneumatic 1 is normally inflated, the valve 23 being uuseated, thereby leaving open the tubes 11 11 and the corresponding tubes 61 d, which lead to the pneumatics D D, in consequence of which said latter pneumatics are inflated, the pneumatics 2 3 and 15 16 being in an exhausted condition. The tubes H and H together with the channels 21 and 22, are governed by the long perforations 7 and 9 of the musicsheets, the channels 21 and 22 communicating with the pneumatics 15 and 16. The tubes H and H, with the channels 12 and 13 leading to the pneumatics 2 and 3, are governed by the short perforations S and 10 of the musicsheets. When the two sheets are running in unison, the two long perforations 7 and 9 of the music-sheets being in advance of the short perforations 8 and 10 open in unison through the channel-boards to the pneumatics 15 and 16, actuating said pneumatics, and thereby exhausting the pneumatic 1, as hereinbefore explained,thereby seating the valves 9 g upon the spindles 4 4t and uncovering the openings 11 11 to the atmosphere, whereby the pneumatics D and D are left inflated and the clutches in operation. Now if one of the sheets is running ahead of the other the corresponding smaller perforation uncovering the corresponding channel in the channel board inflates the corresponding pneumatic 2 or 3, as the case may be, thereby lifting the valves upon the corresponding stem &, opening the corresponding channel 11 and the corresponding tube leading to one of the pneumatics D D into the suction-chainber, whereby said pneumatic D or D is eX- hausted, throwing its corresponding clutch M out of operation by means of the lever M or IVI until the other sheet catches up, when the two longer perforations 7 and 9 coming into unison and uncovering the corresponding channels in the corresponding tracker-boards will cut out the pneumatic 2 or 3,which had just been actuated, and there by throw the clutch that had been thrown out of operation back into operation again. Itis to be noted that the pneumatic 1 is meanwhile opened to the atmosphere for the reason that the valve 23 has been unseated, because it requires the combined or joint force of the inflated pneumatics 15 and 16 to keep the valve 23 seated against the force of the spring 20, and under the conditions just cited only one long perforation governs one of these pneumatics.

/Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In a pneumatic-regulator for musical instruments, two independently-traveling music-sheets, each provided with elongated and with shortened perforations arranged in pairs, and pneumatically-actuated mechanism governed by said perforations arranged to regulate the travel of said sheets to cause said sheets to operate in unison, said mechanism provided with a controlling pneumatic 1, with a valve provided with a spindle to govern the exhaust of said pneumatic, and with additional plural pneumatics to jointly actuate said valve-spindle, substantially as described.

2. In a pneumatic-regulator for inusicalinstrument-s, traveling music-sheets each provided with elongated and with shortened perforations arranged in pairs, a drum, and a corresponding take-up roller to carry each of said sheets, means for rewinding the sheets from the storage-roller upon the drum, pneumatic mechanism governed by said perforations to govern the travel of said sheets, said mechanism provided with means for cutting out the mechanism regulating the travel of the sheets when the sheets are being rewound, substantially as set forth.

3. In a pneumatic-regulator for musical instruments, traveling m usic-sheets each provided with elongated and with shortened perforations arranged in pairs, a drum and corresponding take-up roller to carry each of said sheets, clutch-controlled mechanism to rewind the sheets from the storage-roller upon the drum, an oscillatory lever to govern the clutch mechanism, pneumatic mechanism to regulate the travel of said sheets, and additional pneumatic mechanism governed by said lever to cut out the first-named pneumatic mechanism to prevent its operation when the music-sheets are rewound, substantially as set forth.

4:. In apneumatic-regulator for musical instruments, traveling music-sheets provided with elongated and with shortened perforations arranged in pairs, clutch mechanisms to control the travel of said sheets, a suction-chamber provided with pneumatic mechanism controlled by one set of said perforations to govern the clutch mechanisms, and additional pneumatic mechanism governed by the other set of said perforations to cut out the first-named pneumatic mechanism, substantially as set forth.

5. In a pneumatic-regulator for musical instruments, two independently-traveling music-sheets, each provided with elongated and with shortened perforations arranged in pairs, a suction-chamber having pneumatic mechanism connected therewith governed by said perforations to regulate the travel of said sheets, said pneumatic mechanism provided with a pneumatic l, a valve provided with a spindle to control said pneumatic and with pneumatics 15 and 16 jointly actuating said spindle, substantially as set forth.

6. In a pneumatic-regulator for musical instruments, two independently-traveling music-rolls provided with elongated and with shortened perforations arranged in pairs, a suction-chamber, pneumatic mechanism governed by one set of said perforations connected with said chamber arranged to regulate the travel of said sheets, and additional pneumatic mechanism governed by the other set to cut out the first-named pneumatic mechanism, substantially as described,

7. I11 a pneumatic-regulator for musical instruments, two traveling music-sheets each provided with elongated and with shortened perforations arranged in pairs, clutclractuated mechanism to carry said sheets,a trackerboard for each of said sheets provided with two channels having communication there through governed by said perforations, pneumatics controlled by one set of perforations and channels governing said clutches, and additional pneumatic mechanism governed by the other set of perforations and channels and governing the first-named pneumatic to regulate the travel of the sheets, substantially as set forth.

ITO

S. In a pneumatic-regulator for musical instruments, two independently-traveling music-sheets, and a suction-chamber having connected therewith pneumatics 2 and 3, agoverningpneumatic 1, a valve to control the exhaust of pneumatic 1, and the pneumatics 15 and 16 to actuate said valve, as set forth.

9. In a pneumatic-regulator for musical instruments, two independently-traveling inusic-sheets, a channeled tracker-board for each of said sheets, clutches governing the travel of said sheets, pneumatics to actuate said clutches, a suctionchamber having in connection therewith pneumatics 2 and 3, a governing-pneumatic 1, a valve to control the exhaust of pneumatic 1, and pneumatics 15 and 16 to actuate said valve, as set forth.

10. In a pneumatic-regulator for musical WILLIAM B. FLEMING.

Witnesses: N. S. WRIGHT,

M. HICKEY. 

